James Brasuell, AICP is the former editorial director of Planetizen and is now a senior public affairs specialist at the Southern California Association of Governments. James managed all editorial content and direction for Planetizen from 2014 to 2023, and was promoted from manging editor to editorial director in 2021. After a first career as a class five white water river guide in Trinity County in Northern California, James started his career in Los Angeles as a volunteer at a risk reduction center in Skid Row. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.

Book Review: 'Culture Crash'
'Culture Crash: The Killing of the Creative Class' by Scott Timberg argues that cities must defend and support local culture in the face of the homogenizing effects of the creative class.
Sunday Not-So-Fun-Day: More Cities Banning Sledding in Public
Cities simply can't afford the lawsuits that follow sledding injuries. Time will tell how strictly such laws are enforced.

Oklahoma City's Plan to Attract and Retain Millennials
The Oklahoma Gazette takes an in-depth look at the city's efforts to attract and retain millennials.
Gov. Christie Changes Stance on Cross-Hudson Transit Capacity
Buried in the Port Authority's recent report on the future its financing and operations, was a plan to move forward with a project to increase transit capacity across the Hudson River.
Documentary Examines China's 'Back-to-the-Land' Movement
Linda Poon shares news of a short documentary about a Chinese artist trying to "bring economic and cultural development to a village struggling to survive China's rapid urbanization."